Sea-doo 2003 GTI LE RFI, Shop Manual

Page: 539 / 779

Section 12 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Subsection 03 (CHARGING SYSTEM)
SMR2003-036_12_03A.FM
12-03-11
7. Test battery state of charge. Use a hydrometer.
1. Specific gravity 1.265
8. If electrolyte level has dropped after charging,
fill with distilled water to UPPER LEVEL line. Af-
ter water is added, continue charging for 1 to 2
hours to mix water with electrolyte.
9. Reinstall caps and clean any electrolyte spillage
using a solution of baking soda and water.
4-TEC Models
NOTE: Hand tighten caps then tighten a additional
1/4 turn using a 20 mm (3/4 in) socket. Using other
tool could damage the plastic battery caps.
All Models
Charging a Used Battery
For best results, battery should be charged when
the electrolyte and the plates are at room temper-
ature. A battery that is cold may not accept current
for several hours after charging begun.
Do not charge a frozen battery. If the battery charge
is very low, the battery may freeze. If it is suspected
to be frozen, keep it in a heated area for about 2 hours
before charging.
The time required to charge a battery will vary de-
pending on some factors such as:
– Battery temperature: The charging time is in-
creased as the temperature goes down. The
current accepted by a cold battery will remain
low. As the battery warms up, it will accept a
higher rate of charge.
– State of charge: Because the electrolyte is near-
ly pure water in a completely discharged battery,
it cannot accept current as well as electrolyte.
This is the reason the battery will not accept
current when the charging cycle first begins. As
the battery remains on the charger, the current
from the charger causes the electrolytic acid
content to rise which makes the electrolyte a
better conductor and then, the battery will ac-
cept a higher charging rate.
– Type of charger: Battery chargers vary in the
amount of voltage and current that they can
supply. Therefore, the time required for the bat-
tery to begin accepting measurable current will
also vary.
Charging a Very Flat or Completely Discharged
Battery
The battery charger should have an adjustable
charging rate. Variable adjustment is preferred,
but a unit which can be adjusted in small incre-
ments is acceptable.
The battery charger must be equipped with an am-
meter capable of accurately measuring current of
less than 1 ampere.
Unless this procedure is properly followed, a good
battery may be needlessly replaced.
– Measure the voltage at the battery posts with
an accurate voltmeter. If it is below 10 volts, the
battery will accept current at very low rate, in
term of milliamperes, because electrolyte is
nearly pure water as explained above. It could
be some time before the charging rate increas-
es. Such low current flow may not be detect-
able on some charger ammeters and the bat-
tery will seem not to accept any charge.
– Exceptionally for this particular case, set the
charger to a high rate.

WARNING
Battery electrolyte is caustic. To prevent spill-
age, battery cell cap should be sufficiently
tight to properly seal.

WARNING
Never charge battery while installed in water-
craft.

WARNING
Always charge battery in a well ventilated area.
A17E0JA
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